Fargo Force trio signs NHL Contracts

Courtesy Fargo Force – Three Former Fargo Force players and current NHL free agents have signed recent contracts with NHL teams. Forward Tanner Kero to the Dallas Stars, defenseman Luke Witkowski to the Tampa Bay Lightning, and goaltender Zane McIntyre to the Vancouver Canucks.

Kero, a member of the 2010-11 Fargo Force squad has agreed to a two-year, two-way contract with the Dallas Stars club. In that one season with the Force, he totaled 37 points (14g, 23a).Post Force, the Hancock, MI native spent his collegiate career as a Huskie at Michigan Technological University, where in his senior season he was named team captain. In 2015, the undrafted forward signed with Chicago as a free agent, splitting time between the AHL and NHL. Most recently Kero skated with the Utica Comets of the AHL, where he tallied 57 points (24g, 33a), the second highest among his team.

Defenseman Luke Witkowski has signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He captained the Force their inaugural season (2008-09), skating in 55 games and tallying 22 points (6g, 16a). The Holland, Michigan native played collegiately at Western Michigan University wearing both the “A” (2011-12) and the “C” (2012-13). He was originally drafted by the Lightning in the sixth round, (160^th overall) at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Last season, he skated in 34 games with the Detroit Red Wings, where he accumulated two assists and 23 penalty minutes.

Goaltender Zane McIntyre has agreed to a one year, two-way contract with the Vancouver Canucks organization. The Thief River Falls, MN native tended goal for two seasons with the Fargo Force (2010-11, 2011-12), averaging a .915 save percentage and 2.23 GAA. McIntyre played three seasons at the University of North Dakota (2012-15) before advancing and splitting time between the AHL and NHL. Most recently with the Providence Bruins, he posted a.898 save percentage and a 2.59 GAA and in the 2018-19 season. He was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round (165^th overall) at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.